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Acrobatics (from Greek Akros, high and bat, walking) is one of the performing arts, and is also practiced as a sport. Acrobatics involves difficult feats of balance, agility and coordination. Nearly any performance or sport which involves full-body activity—especially in short, highly controlled bursts of activity—can be considered acrobatics. Typical examples are, first and foremost, all the subdivisions of gymnastics, but specialized activities like ballet and diving could also be included. In a narrow sense, the term "acrobatics" refers to "acrobatic gymnastics," a specialized subdivision of gymnastics.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Western history 1.2 Eastern history 2 Education 3 Acrobatic Gymnastics 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

Acrobatic traditions are found in many cultures. In the West, Minoan art from circa 2000 BC contains depictions of acrobatic feats on the backs of bulls, which may have been a religious ritual.^[1]

The court displays of the European Middle Ages would often involve acrobatic performances along with song, juggling and other activities.

Though initially the term applied to tight-rope walking, in the 19th century, a form of performance art including gymnastics and circus acts began to use the term as well. In the late 19th century, tumbling and other acrobatic/gymnastic activities became a competitive sport in Europe.

Acrobatics in Western history have become a key subject for fine art. An excellent example is Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando (Francisca and Angelina Wartenberg) by Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir which depicts two German acrobatic sisters. The painting resides at the Art Institute of Chicago.

In China, acrobatics (“Hundred Plays”) have been a part of the culture since the Western Han Dynasty, over 2500 years ago. Acrobatics were part of village harvest festivals.^[2]

During the Tang Dynasty, acrobatics saw much the same sort of development as European acrobatics saw during the Middle Ages with court displays during the 7th through 10th century dominating the practice.^[3] Today the performance art remains to be one of the most important performances offered within Chinese variety art, mostly referred to in the west as "Chinese Circus".

Traditionally, acrobatic skills were kept within families and passed from parents to children. This is still true especially among family circus groups nowadays. However, most acrobats are now taught by larger scale education systems, as circuses are now made up of many more professionals than they used to be. Many schools specializing in acrobatics art are providing a constant resource of acrobatic artists. Some of these schools are independently operated, and some are supported and affiliated to circuses.

The first use of acrobatics as a specific sport was in the Soviet Union in the 1930s,^[1] and the first world championships were in 1974.

Acrobatic Gymnastics are judged in five categories:

• Men’s pair
• Women’s pair
• Mixed pairs
• Women’s group (trio)
• Men's group (quadruples)

A sixth and seventh category for tumbling (men’s and women’s) were discontinued in the world championships in 1999. Many sports acrobatics groups continue to hold tumbling events, however.^[4] Typically tumbling consists of three series of acrobatic elements performed on the run, including somersaults and handsprings.

The five types of event are choreographed with music. They can involve dance, tumbling and “partner skills” which can in turn involve “balance” and “dynamic” skills. Dynamic skills involve some form of aerial manoeuvre while balance skills involve poses and holds.

Sports acrobatics is the original and Acrobatic Gymnastics is now the official name for the sport, though it is known as Acro-gymnastics, Acro Gymnastics or Acrogymnastics as well.

In June 2006, four London Men became Acrobatic Gymnastic World Champions in the Mens Four.

There are a few acrobatic federations, including AFSA (acrobatics federation of South Africa).

Many dance studios hold acrobatics classes, and you can take shield or medal exams. [1]

• gymnastics
• tumbling
• trampolining
• trapeze work
• wire-walking
• acrobalance
• corde lisse
• aerial tissu
• handstand
• bossaball
• hopak
• juggling
• contortion
• pole climbing
• springboard diving
• tower diving
• salto del pastor
• adagio
• Spanish web
• wushu
• parkour
• Balancing Acts- a documentary about acrobat Man Fan Tong

• China Culture website on acrobatics.